Player Availability Status

[SubGod22]

I'm completely drawing a blank, but who did we have red-shirting last year?

Nobody. Our class was Ehimen, Rags and Smith

Ah that's why I was drawing a blank.

Perfectly acceptable. It's odd not to have a single FR in a recruiting class.

[vancedave56]

I don't get the fascination with Smith as a 4. If he's playing there, we're in trouble. He'd be way undersized even in the Valley. Just because someone rebounds well, doesn't mean they can play in the post. Hell, I rebounded very well in HS and I may have been the shortest guy on the team. Smith is a strong cat, but having him defend post players that are 6'8" would NOT be a good thing.

It's not a fascination with Smith at the 4; just saying it could happen from time to time - especially early on when everyone is learning the system. I would rather see him at the 3 also; just sayin...

[SubGod22]

It's just that ever since he got here people have been talking about him playing a little 4. He could. But if he does, we're in trouble. If anybody other than Hall or White are playing the 4, I hope it's Garrett with Ehimen at the 5 :D

[RoyalShock]

I think the fascination with Smith playing the 4 stemmed from his ability to get rebounds among the trees. The thing is, those are mostly the result of "sneaking" in from outside.

I question his ability to rebound from a post position and effectively guard a 6'7" or taller post-up PF. If he can somehow channel a little Ryan Martin, then he would be a great asset on offense as bigger, slower guys try to guard him on the perimeter.

[tropicalshox]

Speaking of Ben Smith, I know we can be mislead by pick up games...but. Bwing's description of Ede's play makes me wonder if there will be a very close fight coming up for the starting SF position.

[pinstripers]

TM at 3, Kyles at 2. Smith waaay better off the bench.

[Ricardo del Rio]

I saw where you put the chart in the Feherty thread in the Off-topic forum by mistake. You probably need to delete that.

Thanks. I will take care of it right away.

[ShockTalk]

It's just that ever since he got here people have been talking about him playing a little 4. He could. But if he does, we're in trouble. If anybody other than Hall or White are playing the 4, I hope it's Garrett with Ehimen at the 5 :D

What position did Ryan Martin play during our S16 run?

I'm not saying I want Smith playing the 4, but he has to be the backup plan if a 4/5 player or two gets in foul trouble or misses a few games.

[tropicalshox]

TM at 3, Kyles at 2. Smith waaay better off the bench.

Perhaps.

[150946shox]

It's just that ever since he got here people have been talking about him playing a little 4. He could. But if he does, we're in trouble. If anybody other than Hall or White are playing the 4, I hope it's Garrett with Ehimen at the 5 :D

What position did Ryan Martin play during our S16 run?

I'm not saying I want Smith playing the 4, but he has to be the backup plan if a 4/5 player or two gets in foul trouble or misses a few games.

Not to mention that Ede might be able to help at the 4 in an emergency. Nobody wants to have to depend on either of them to play the 4 too much, but in the right situations, they could possibly help. Not only Ryan Martin helping at both the 4 and 5 when needed, but Jamar Howard playing the 4 at times says you can get by. At least for a while against the right match up.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Is this now correct?

My head is spinning over number of players and available scholarships. Has this been sorted out as yet?

[WSUwatcher]

Yep

Looks good, RDR. The only question I'd have is whether Armstead, whom I assume will not be on scholarship this year, will be a scholarship guy next year (and, I guess, this corollary question: if so, whether that scholarship will begin in January -- the old Jamar Howard maneuver).

If Armstead will be a scholarship guy in 2012-13, the early commitments hold up, and the prospective returnees all return, WSU has only one spot still open for the 2012-13 season.

[tropicalshox]

So if things hold to recent form we should expect 2 to 4 more incoming players for 2012. I guess I'll put a LOL after that.

[pinstripers]

The Jamar Howard thing had nothing to do with the magic number of 13 skollies, and that grayshirt rule is no longer valid, anyway.

[Ricardo del Rio]

This chart is based upon latest information. If there are errors, please let me know.